Thunder Valley joins other casinos in plans to reopen gaming with new safety protocol

The region’s largest casino announced plans Tuesday to reopen June 8, joining other gaming operations that are opening with new plans for increased cleaning and a cutback in the number of available slot machines and card tables.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln joins Red Hawk Casino in Placerville in announcing plans to reopen June 8 with hand sanitizers throughout the gaming areas, temperature checks of people entering the casinos and a requirement that players and workers wear face masks.

Casinos shut down in mid-March amid COVID-19 concerns, and the two casinos are the latest to announce reopening plans. Despite the face mask requirement, some players have found ways around the policy.

At the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain in Wheatland, which opened last Thursday, some players pulled their masks down to their necks to allow themselves to chance to smoke or drink, and many played without observing the 6-foot social distancing that has become common.

The reopenings come despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request that casinos delay a resumption of business as he works to deal with the state’s coronavirus problems.

“The United Auburn Indian Community took into careful consideration Governor Gavin Newsom’s request to delay the reopening of California casinos,” United Auburn Indian Community Chairman Gene Whitehouse said in a statement. “We feel confident that a June 8th reopening will further ensure that we are providing a safe environment for our employees, guests and the surrounding community.”

The casino’s summer concert schedule remains on hold.

“Thunder Valley will schedule concerts as soon as it is safe to do so,” the casino said.

This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 8:35 AM.